Lauren Nicole Burke, 26, born on May 3, 1996 of Broxton, GA, passed away on May 25, 2022 surrounded by the love of her family and friends following her courageous battle with a rare cancer.
She leaves behind a huge hole in the lives of her family and friends who could always count on her to brighten any day. She will be deeply missed by her mother and father, Billy and Leisha Burke, her sisters Chelsee Burke and Brandy (Chris) Gray, her nieces Reanna and Reagan Given, her cousins Clint (Heidi) Bozeman, Josie Bozeman, Haley (Caleb) Thornton, and Emersyn Thornton, and by Ezra (Kim) Burke, Matthew (Serena) Burke, Sharon (Tony) Lopez, Ferrell (Shari) Burke, and Liz (Johnnie) Batten, and a host of beloved cousins.
Lauren’s family extended beyond those to include those she chose as well. Her bonus family consisted of Aunt Crystal and Uncle Randy Fussell, cousins Amber and Austin Gillen, Billie Jo Merritt , Natalie Moore, Aunt Jenny and Uncle Dowling Granberry, Aunt Joyce Wooten and Dennis Franzen, Courtney Rowell Kirkland, nephew Kalen Kirkland, and niece Laurel Vaughn. Lauren will also be deeply missed by her best friends Jeris Johnson, Jordan Gant, and Ashlynn Howard and her fur baby Millie. While Lauren will always be missed by those left to cherish her memory, she is now reunited with her Papa, Grandma, Aunt Wendy, and Granny Burke.
Lauren will forever be remembered as a caring and compassionate nurse, a standout basketball player, a friend to count on, a laugh in a tough moment, and the life of any party. Anyone who spent a day with Lauren was sure to leave with a funny story and wonderful memories. Her ability to befriend any person she met and leave a lasting impression on others’ lives will live forever in the memories of all who she encountered. Lauren’s family on the last nine months of Lauren
Although Lauren’s battle with cancer lasted the last nine months of her life, those months did not define the woman that she was. In order to remember those wonderful years of her life, a service to celebrate her will be on Saturday, May 28 at 1:00 at the Ricketson Funeral Home Chapel led by Glenda Lang with a graveside service following at Bethany Holiness Baptist in Broxton. Visitation will be on Friday, May 27 from 6:00 to 9:00 at Ricketson Funeral Home.
Pallbearers for Lauren’s service will consist of her Citizen Christian Academy classmates Justin Brown, Michael Brown, Henry Deems, Connor Farabow, Wyatt Pope, and Colton Carver. Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Mark Brulte, Dr. Kevin Murphy, Bethany Hospice Staff, Austin Burke, Elliott Burke, Drew Burke, Curtis Burke, Burke Batten, Shirlene Rudsill, Hannah Batten, Lexi Burke, Dalton Burkett, Dillon Burkett, Zack Meyers, and Cam Joyce.
Ricketson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.